Abstract
The authors describe theories underlying the use of fine arts in efforts to improve psychosocial work environments. Direct influence on the emotional brain from strong experiences of arts may start processes that improve the environment via strengthening of empathy. Regeneration and energy mobilization are central concepts. A practical experiment designed as a random trial with an intervention using strong experiences of arts in a program with repeated exposures once in a month for 9 months for managers was compared with a more conventional program with a similar amount of lectures lasting for the same period. Follow-up after 18 months of the managers themselves and their employees showed more benefit for employees in the arts group than in the other group. These benefits included coping patterns, psychological well-being, and regeneration (plasma concentration of DHEA-s). Weaknesses and strengths of these findings are discussed against the background of other research.
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Romanowska, J., Theorell, T. (2020). Using Arts to Support Leadership Development. In: Theorell, T. (eds) Handbook of Socioeconomic Determinants of Occupational Health. Handbook Series in Occupational Health Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05031-3_21-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05031-3_21-1
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